we will be discussing this new information later in this hour with john bolton a former u.s. ambassador to the united nations. >> heather: lights are coming on for some in new york city while others are learning it could be weeks before their power is restored. mayor mike bloomberg on the latest recovery efforts and help cannot come soon enough for those living in hard hit areas of staten island. david lee miller is standing by with the very latest. >> reporter: let's start with conflicting information. there are reports at this hour that authorities have stopped the free distribution of free gasoline, gasoline from the department of defense that had been delivered to various parts of new york city by using tanker trucks and first responders were eligible to get that gas. i can tell you that here on staten island there is such a tanker truck and gasoline is being distributed to the general public as well as a separate line for first responders. at least here in staten island, free gasoline is available to the general public. authorities say they have at least 36 hour supply o